Dear Katie,

First off, congratulations. I'm sure you are a bit nervous and scared for the future, but I also hope you are ecstatic. This is a huge milestone. I cannot believe you are finally done with school! I'm kind of jealous, but I hope you never stop learning about who you are, about what you stand for, and about everything the world has to offer you. You are absolutely brilliant and I'm so glad you're going out in the world to make a difference. The world is going to see this smart and kind young woman who is ready for any obstacle that will come her way. But for me, I will always see something more.

You're the sister that asked my parents when I would be going back to China. You're the sister that cut the cat's and my hair to chase your dream of being a hairstylist. You're the sister that told Ellie that Christmas was canceled. You're the sister that forced us to not only watch Strawberry Shortcake but actually enjoy it. You're the sister that made our imaginary Christmas game, ice-skating with Santa's reindeer, feel ridiculously real--that is until we broke Mom's bedpost. You're the sister that would always have us be characters off of shows and give the main character role to yourself. You're the sister that bragged about getting an allowance from Mom and Dad, which resulted in all of us starting a bank account.

You're the sister that had us running around in the woods, barefoot, building swings in the summer. You're the sister that told me my first and last horror story (Annie will stay on the first step). You're the sister that wrote songs about fairy tale worlds and extremely well-written stories as a 5th grader. You're the sister that locked me in your room and made me listen to you as you read me a chapter of the first Harry Potter books. You're the sister that wrote the amazing poem about saving the earth. You're the sister that would tell me to shut up when my endless singing in our long car rides at night ended up sounding like a dying goat. You're the sister that assured 8th grade me that I was on the right bus even though I was squished in the back of the bus with three other high school kids. You're the sister that watched Heroes with me until we mutually agreed that it was just too stupid. You're the sister that showed me how to download music off of YouTube instead of paying for them like a noob.

You're the sister that warned me about what high school would be like. You're the sister that constantly killed her hair with every color of the rainbow. You're the sister that got a concussion from a tennis ball. You're the sister who cleared the path for me in high school so that Mom and Dad wouldn't be so strict (BIG KUDOS TO YOU). You're the sister that chose and fought for her education. You're the sister that supported my bee club idea (I'm sorry I didn't make it, I suck, I know). You're the sister that guided me through my first year at VCU. But most importantly, you're the sister that has dramatically impacted and shaped who I am today. Without you, I'm not sure what kind of personality I would have, what music I would have liked, what books I would have read, what sense of humor I would have, what views of the world I would hold, and so much more. Thanks to you, life has been a little easier to navigate.

As you head into the "real world", I hope you continue to shape other people's lives in meaningful ways. I hope they are eternally grateful just like I am. I hope you continue being "you" (whatever this means) because I wouldn't be the person I am without that person.

I love you and I can't wait to see you do amazing things. I will be cheering you on as I slowly die in college.

CONGRATULATIONS! Today is your day! Make the world yours.

Shayla